NCJ Number
69633
Date Published
1975
Length
50 pages
Annotation
A management efficiency report prepared by the LEAA-funded Delaware Agency to Reduce Crime is presented, focusing on a survey of internal office procedures and workflow of the Delaware Department of Justice.
Abstract
Pursuant to a 1974 agreement, the agency conducted a survey of criminal division procedures and practices. This report includes a narrative description of the case processing procedures, as determined from interviews with clerks and secretaries. In addition, an outline of the new file system which the survey team has designed for criminal division use and the forms necessary for implementation are provided. Most of the work involved in case processing is performed by three secretaries. For the most part, the State attorney general prosecutes only felony and drug-related misdemeanor cases, which are tried in the superior court. After arrest, the individual is taken immediately to a magistrate or municipal court for arraignment. Case intake sources also include appeals from the magistrate's court, appeals from the court of common pleas, and transfer cases. Paperwork involved in case processing includes memoranda and bail or commitment documents, lower court information and warrants and notices to appear. Secretaries are also responsible for setting up the court calendar, preparing defendant index cards, and handling filed appellant briefs. The case management and information system described herein is designed to provide an efficient method of indexing cases and preserving vital information in readily accessible form. The system is based upon the preparation and maintenance of a master log book, defendant locator cards, and defendant status cards. Currently, the timetable for system implementation has been suspended pending final approval by the attorney general. Flow charts, sample reports, and other sample forms are appended.